shopping and pampering .......

To start our Christmas celebrations Pam and I had planned a girlie day out. We decided to go to Buxton which is a picturesque spa town in Derbyshire, and is often described as the gateway to the Peak District National Park. It would only take us about 45 minutes in the car and we thought we could start with some Christmas shopping and then a spot of pampering.

We set off early it was bitterly cold, the temperature was - 4 degrees, so before we set off we had to make sure we had wrapped up warm and thoroughly de-iced the car. On arrival in Buxton we needed hot coffee to warm us up before we hit the shops, after we had re-found our fingers we set off for the Pavilion arcades.

Behind the shops in lovely gardens nestles the Palace Hotel, the Victorian Hotel is situated within 5 beautiful acres of land. 

crisp frosty trees ....................

The exterior of the hotel was designed by Henry Currey, architect to the Duke of Devonshire at the time it was built, and the interior is equally splendid. 

The hotel  not only boasts fine dining and luxury accommodation it also has a pampering spa, which we had booked into - we are so lucky.

After our shopping expedition we made our way to the hotel and sipped a sparkling glass of champagne before we had our treatments. I was booked in for a massage and a facial, and Pam had decided on a facial and a manicure.

We both enjoyed our luxurious treatments and felt relaxed, rejuvenated and totally de-stressed.

Alas though we had to wrap up warm again and brave the cold for our journey home. The gritter trucks were already salting and gritting the roads as we left Buxton.

We arrived home before dark and had really enjoyed our special day.

Talk soon x